A bill to provide for the transfer of administrative jurisdiction over certain Federal land in the State of California, and for other purposes.
This bill facilitates a land exchange between two federal agencies to streamline management of ecologically connected areas near Yosemite National Park in California. It transfers approximately 160 acres of National Forest System land (currently managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture) to the Department of the Interior for inclusion in Yosemite National Park, while simultaneously transferring about 170 acres of existing National Park System land to the Agriculture Department for management as part of Stanislaus National Forest. The primary purpose is to consolidate fragmented parcels—specifically addressing Ackerson Meadow, a critical wetland area adjacent to Yosemite—under single agency control to improve ecological restoration, wildfire management, and administrative efficiency. The swap does not change federal ownership but aligns land jurisdiction with natural boundaries and management goals, potentially enhancing watershed health and habitat connectivity without affecting public access or existing legal rights on the land.
Key Points
- 1Land Swap Mechanics**: Transfers 160 acres of Stanislaus National Forest land to Yosemite National Park and 170 acres of Yosemite land to Stanislaus National Forest, using a specified 2022 map for boundary definitions in Tuolumne County.
- 2Boundary Flexibility**: Allows the Agriculture and Interior Secretaries to mutually adjust boundaries slightly for practical land management, with changes taking effect upon Federal Register publication.
- 3Hazardous Substance Liability**: Requires both agencies to disclose known contamination sites to each other, while maintaining the original agency’s responsibility for cleanup costs post-transfer.
- 4Protection of Existing Rights**: Preserves all valid existing rights (e.g., grazing permits, utility easements) and requires the receiving agency to administer them under current terms.
- 5Legal Framework**: Mandates that transferred lands be managed under the laws governing their new systems (National Park System or National Forest System) from the date of enactment.